Hawkesbury Cultural Activities
For Primary School groups the activity options and timeframes to deliver the activities will be tailored to the suitability of the groups age. A typical 3 hour workshop may become 1.5 hours for example.
- Opening Smoking Ceremony with local First Nations facilitators, music and song
- Walk the land and learn about the geographical significance and history of the Deerubbin site through the eyes of the local First Nations community
- Throw a line in the water and try to catch your dinner fishing
- Enjoy the colours of the evening sunset over the valley with a reflection
- Join in on a yarning circle by the fire and hear contemporary stories from our First Nations hosts
- Throw a line in the water and try to catch your dinner fishing
- Learn traditional painting or weaving methods and put them into practice - take your work home
- Take part in the sacred Departing Ceremony, one you have been preparing for since the beginning of the journey
- Daily reflections by the fire are core in every immersion
- Accompany our First Nations hosts to a sacred rock engraving site unknown to most for a final intimate story about the area
Core Activities Explained
Smoking Ceremony
Participating in a Smoking Ceremony with local First Nations facilitators such as Uncle Graham at Deerubbin (Hawkesbury) is a profound way to experience and honour Aboriginal traditions. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with the cultural landscape of the area, appreciate its spiritual significance, and establish connections with the community. Participants leave with a deeper respect for the traditions and stories that have shaped the land and its people, enriching their understanding of cultural heritage and responsibility towards the environment.
Clapsticks
Students will step into the world of Indigenous music and culture with our hands-on clapstick-making workshop led by a skilled First Nations facilitator. This experience begins with an introduction to the rich history and meaning of clapsticks in traditional storytelling and music. You’ll hand-select locally sourced hardwood, then learn carving techniques to shape and smooth your own unique set of clapsticks. Participants will decorate instruments using natural paints and traditional patterns, guided by First Nations facilitators. To wrap up, join the group for a rhythmic music session where you'll bring your clapsticks to life, learning the beats that connect people to land and culture. This activity is perfect for all ages.
Painting Workshop
Design an artwork of cultural expression that encompasses a variety of styles, techniques, and meanings rooted in the rich heritage of First Nations people. This art form reflects deep connections to the land, spirituality, and community, serving both aesthetic and narrative functions. Some of the primary mediums include rock paying, bark panting, canvas and contemporary styles.
Weaving Workshop
Engage in a weaving workshop offering a profound educational experience that fosters cultural appreciation, creativity, and community connection. By learning and practising traditional weaving techniques, participants not only gain new skills but also forge a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture and its enduring significance. This enriching activity culminates in a unique woven item that participants can cherish long after the workshop concludes, embodying both a personal journey and the legacy of First Nations craftsmanship.
Bush Medicine and Bush Tucker Walk
These practices are deeply embedded in the socio-cultural fabric of First Nations communities. They foster a direct connection to the land, reinforcing cultural identity and continuity. Traditional gatherings often revolve around the harvest of bush tucker, where knowledge sharing and community bonding occur. Participants will walk alongside First Nations facilitators and learn about the local flora and fauna, and the traditional uses.
Fishing
Fishing in the Deerubbin (Hawkesbury) River is not only a recreational pastime but also a communal tradition that fosters a connection to the rich Aboriginal heritage of the area. The river is home to a diverse range of fish species, including the sought-after Magura bass, which holds cultural significance to the local Darug people. Engaging in this activity allows participants to appreciate both the natural beauty of the river and the local ecosystem.
Sacred Sites
Accompanying Uncle Graham to a sacred rock engraving site in Deerubbin is a profound experience that fosters learning, respect, and a deeper connection to Aboriginal culture. Through storytelling, personal reflection, and active engagement with the rich narratives embedded in the rock engraving, participants leave with a greater awareness of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the wisdom of the First Nations peoples. This final intimate story serves as a lasting reminder of the history of the land and dreamtime stories
Reflections
Daily reflections and yarning are the cornerstone of any immersions and are done in smaller groups with our First Nations facilitators. As time passes we go deeper in a Q&A style open discussion setting by the fire. Perspectives and stories are shared which can shift paradigms. Participants leave this experience with new insights and inspiration, ready to carry the lessons learned into their future endeavours.
Additional Adventure Activity possibilities:
- Hiking
- Canoeing/kayaking
- Mud mania
- Abseiling
- Zip lining
- Indigenous survival bushcraft